Configuration space control of in-vessel components for Wendelstein 7-X

Concurrent engineering with the design of increasingly complex components requires addition tools to avoid space conflicts. Configuration Space Control is a key technology necessary to achieve the required design efficiency and product development of a complex experiment. Easily accessible solutions available within CAD Frameworks, Product Data Management, and Configuration Management Systems currently only solve part of this task. Therefore, it has been vital to develop and control a set of procedures which handle the concurrent engineering issues and manage the compatibility of the various components being designed, manufactured and assembled. In addition a defined set of procedures are required to control the changes, additions and non-conformities to the design of components which occur in a developing experiment. To cope with these tasks, sophisticated tools and procedures have been adapted, developed and implemented. This paper covers the Configuration Space Control process for In-Vessel Components of Wendelstein 7-X, and demonstrates its application in the control of the as-assembled components.